Paris

PARIS – WHY GO?

Paris is the iconic city of romance – a city of boulevards, bridges and brasseries that makes it capital for a weekend of lurve. And no matter how many times you've been here before, Paris keeps getting better.

Paris is also home to some of the world's most famous luxury hotels – making it the perfect city for an indulgent romantic getaway. You'll see a list of our favourite romantic hotels in Paris on the left.

MUST SEE, MUST DO

Eiffel Tower
This iconic sight – lit up at night – is as famous as Paris itself. Take the glass-bottomed lift to the top or climb the steps for some awesome views.

Arc de Triomphe
Crowning the Champs-Elysées, with its glitzy stores, the Arc de Triomphe offers great views from the top.

Notre Dame and Ile St Louis
Head for Ile St Louis, tucked behind the cathedral of Notre Dame and lined with little shops, galleries and cafes. It's made for slow meanders.

Latin Quarter, Saint-Germain and the Marais
Kick off the killer heels and explore these Paris neighbourhoods on foot – whether it's to be a cafe along the grand boulevards, a little bar on the Left Bank, or the chic streets of the Marais.

Montmartre
Wander past Paris's graceful Belle Epoque buildings up to hillside Montmartre, crowned by the domed Sacré Coeur church.

Street markets
Rakish Rue Mouffetard has a more ethnic vibe – a nice change from the big boulevards lined with designer temples.

Paris Opera
See some fabulous productions here (the backstage tour is also well worth taking). For a throwback to the Fifties, take a trip to the legendary Moulin Rouge for some real Parisian can-can.

Around Paris
Stay outside Paris in one of the grand châteaux of Ile-de-France, and you arguably have the best of both worlds. Versailles, Chartres and Fontainebleau are all within easy reach of luxurious Château d'Esclimont, an hour from the capital.

MAKE A DATE

March
Paris Fashion Week. See who is strutting the catwalk with the latest designer creations.

June
Foire Saint-Germain. Concerts, poetry, open air theatre and an antiques fair.

July
Bastille Day (14 July). Paris's biggest party kicks off with parades, dancing and wall-to-wall revelry.

September
Fetes de Seine. Enjoy the fireworks and sales of bric-a-brac along the Seine.

PARIS ROMANCE
Wander hand-in-hand along the River Seine, or watch the city lights from the deck of a Bateau-mouche gliding along the river.

Pop the big question from the top of the Eiffel Tower, or book a champagne dinner in the Jules Verne restaurant there.

Share a picnic in the delectable Place des Vosges, cosy up in the late night bars in the Quartier Latin or join Parisian pavement cafe society and just watch the world go by.

See Rodin's famous statue of the entwined lovers (The Kiss) at the Musée Rodin.